Process of and apparatus for making hollow rubber articles.



i F. T. ROBERTS. 'PROCESS 0F AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING HOLLOW` RUBBER ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I4. 1916. y l I I Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

F. T. ROBERTS. L. PROCESS 0F AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING HOLLOW HUBER ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED DCT.14, 1916. L

" Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F. T.k ROBERTS.

PROCESS 0F AND`APPAfRATUS FOR MAKING HOLLOW EUBBER ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT; I4. I9I6. l Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS-sniff 3.

F. T. ROBERTS.

PRCSS 0F AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING HOLLOW RUBBER ARTICLES.v

APPLICATION FILED ucT.'I4, 191e. 1,219,351. Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

I I B w FRED THOMAS ROBERTS, 0F CLVELAND, OHIO.

PROCESS 0F A171) APPARATUS FOR MAKING HOLLOW RBBER ARTICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

Application led October 14, 1916. Serial No. 125, 59B:

reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to the production of hollow rubber articles which may contain, either permanently or temporarily, an internal air pressure. A convenientillustration of such an article is a playing ball, though many sorts of articles may be constructed by the same process, for example,

bulbs of various sorts, rubber toys, hot Wa-l ter bottles, tubes for pneumatic tires, etc., in all of which cases an internal fluid pressure desirable, at least until after the article has been vulcanized. My invention provides an air-tight rooin of suflicient size to accommodate one or more Workmen, and means for maintaining compressed air having the desired pressure, within the room. Access to the room or exit therefrom, for the operators, the molds andthe materials, is effected by means of an air lock associated with the room. In this room the operator brings together, mechanically or by hand, the parts of the article, so as to entrap air within it. Thereafter,`the article with such entrapped air, is held betweenv mold members which are removed from the room and placed in a suitable vulcanizer, where the curing is completed.

In addition to the steps above broadly outlined, my process includes various other features, any or all of which may be employedas desired. The first additional feature to which I call attention is the pneumatic forcing of rubber stock to its seat in forming molds bv simply venting the mold cavities to the outside atmosphere, enabling the air pressure within theroom to form the parts of the article before they are brought together to entrap air.

"A- second additional feature comprises the formation of the article pneumatically in a distorted mold which is arranged to have one or more inward protuberances properly supporting lthe stock so that the pneumatic action stretches it' as desired and may maintain a wall of uniform thickness.

The surface area of this distorted mold cavity is substantially the same as the area of the differently shaped cavity in the vulcauizing mold, enabling the article of distorted shape to issume the desired shape, due to its own flasticitv or internal pressure, to substan'-ially t the vulcanizing mold, which is oi the final shape.` The rea-` sons of this operation will be commented upon more at length hereinafter. A third additional feature which may be employed in my process' accomplishes the entrapping v'ithin the article of air of a higher pressure than suitable for the operator 'to continuously breathe, and of a higher pressure than the mere adherence of raw rubber parts Would retain. This is effected by surrounding the separated mold members in the r )om by a casing into which compressed air of a higher pressure than that. in the room may be forced.

Other specific ieatt'lres of operation which may be'employed in my rocess willbe hereinafter more fu .ly exp ained. ,l My invention includes aso certain apparatus for effectively carrying out parts of the process, as hereinafter de scribed.

' The drawings illustrate the air-tight room and different forms ofv mechanism which may be used therein for carrying out my process. Figure 1 is a side elevation of the air room with its air lock, a suitable molding press withir the room being shown in dotted lines; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of such apparatus; Fig. 3 is an elevation, on a larger scale.' of the molding press shown in Fig. 1. this vi ew being at right angles to the plane of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a plan of a mold plate whirh ma)v be employed:` Fig. 5 is a cross sect ion of two` of such plates, showing their relative position before they are brought together; Fig. 6 is a plan of a clamp which mty be used to hold a rubber sheet to one of the mold plates, as illustrated in Fig. 5 Fig. 7 is an enlarged view in vertical section illustratin one -of the mold cavities and showing ru ber stock in place therein: Fig.8 is a view on the same scale as Fig-7, showing` a vulcanizing mold which may be employed with the article illustrated in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is'an outside view of a ball produced by the molds'shown in Figs. 7 and 8; Fi 10 is aside elevation of a simpler form of mold press, which mayy be employed foi' some purposes; Fig. 11 is a plan of such mold press; Fig. 12- is a vertical cross section, on an enlar scale, through one of the mold cavities o the mold plates shown in Figs. 10 and 11; Fig. 1 3 is a perspective view illustrating a hand, operation of bringing two article-parts together; Fig. 14 is a vertical section through a vulcanizing mold for use when the hand opera.- tion illustrated by Fig. 13 is employed; Fig. 15 is an outside view of the article produced by either the moldshown in Fig. 12, orl that in Fi 14.

-Iniigs 1, 2 and 3, an air-tight room is shown comprising a partially cylindrical Wall 1, a base 2,'a cover 3, and a door 4. This door also forms the inner door of the air lock, which comprises 'a rectangulai chamber bounded by an extension 5 of the base, vertical walls 6 and 'i' and a top 8. An outer door 9 completes the air lock. Y,

The vertical walls, tops and base shown are secured together in an air-tight manner. It is convenient to` rivet the tops to the vertical walls and rivet the walls 6 and 7 to the cylindrical wall 1 and provide these walls with base flanges 10 and 11, by which they may be secured to the base 2 by-bolts 12, a suitable gasket 13 being employed between the .flange and base. This enables the body 0f the casing and lock to be separated froin the base and elevated touallow the mold pre to be conveniently installed on the base.

Suitable gaskets are provided around the borders ofthe doors -1 and 9, to enable these doors to make an air-tight connection, and the doors are provided with locking levers 1-1 and 15, enabling either door to be locked or iuilocked from within the air lock or on the other side thereof.

16 indicates a pipe'adaptcd to convey coinpressed air from a suitable pump or other source. One branch 17 of this pipe leads into the air rooni and is controlled by a valve 18 therein, and other branches 19 and 20 lead into the air lock, being controlled by valves 21 and 22` respectively inside of the lock and outside of it.v 23 indicates a vent pipe from the air room to the outer air, being controlled by a valve24 within the room.` 25 and 26 indicate vent pipes from the air lock, 'controlled by suitable -valves inside and outside of the lock respectively. 27 and 28 indicate valved passageways which maybe provided between the room and air lock, to insure equalization of pressure. Suitable pressure gages, will be provided for the room and air lock, as well as suitable means for illuminating the interiors. These, and other accompaniments adding to the conveniences' of operation. are not shown.

From the above description it will be aan that the air under a presure in whichy a 4Workin an may conveniently operate may readily be maintained within the room. and

ticle a still higher pressure, if desired, as

heretofore referred to. This may be more apparent as the following description proceeds.

30 in Figs. 1 and 3 indicates the base of the nl'old press fron'i which rise standards 31 carrying a head 32. On the base is showna frame 33 carry-'ing a pair of cylinders 34, from which rise plungers 35,- which carry at their tops a hollow platen 36. A hollow platen 38 is also shown as secured t0 the under side of the head 32. Each of these platens has passageways which communicate with cavities in mold members -10 and -11 secured to the respective platens.

Figs. -l and 5 -illustrate one forni of mold plates, which may be secured to the platens by' screws 42. The cavities 43, as they appear in'Fig. 5, have a peculiar shape, which will be hereinafter referred to. These cavities lia\e vents -l-l which are adapted t0 register with openings in the hollow platens. 50 (F ig. 3), indicates avent pipe leading from 'the platen 38. 51 is a vent passageway within one of the pliingeis 35 leading from the platen 36. This passageway communicates Awith a flexible pipe 53. The pi 50 and 53 are shown as joining and leading outwardly by 'a T-connection through the pipe 55, which is provided with a valve 56.

By means of the-piping described and the valve the operator may place the mold cavities 1n communication with the outer air. Accordingly, if anair pressure be maintained within the room and-rubber stock be placed acro the mouths of`the cavities of me of the molds, and that mold caused to communicate with the outer air, the pressureynthin the room will force the stock lnt'o the cavity. It is convenient to vent both molds at the same time, and accordingly the venting pipes 50 and 53 are brought together and one valve provided,

instead of having separate valves, as might be done if desired.

Fig. 5 shows a sheet of` stock A held aerox the upper mold, and a similar sheet may held actos the lower mold. It mav be desirable to clamp this sheet at the of the mold. For that purpose, I mav provide a rectangular frame, shown in Figa-6i.' This frame, as shownfeonsists of two memiso l, cavities.

bers and 61, each extending around two sides of the mold and provided at their ends with means for drawing the'members together, as for example, the thumb nutsl 63 on boltsv 64. For some purposesit may be sufficient to simply lay the stock across the mouths of the molds and then vent them..-

Or the -vents may be slightly opened and then the rubber stock placed against the `mold face, when it will immediately sink equal to thatV surrounding the mold. It is' convenient to bring the mold members togather-by hydraulic'pressure. For this purpose cylinders 34 and plungers 35 are provided. indicates a pipe adapted to convey liquid. under pressure to the cylinders 34. 71 is a valve controlling this pipe,

adapted to place it in communication with v the supply, or close it entirely, or drain it through the pipes 72 7 3.

It should be noted that when these two mold` parts are brought together with rub ber stock seated in them respectively, they produce a series of hollow articlesas shown at A in Fig. 7, with air entrapped within them. I prefer to provide a depressed por tion 46 of the plate about each mold cavity, and bring the walls about the cavities to substantially an edge, as shown at 47. By this construction the sheets of rubber are cut in two around the article las the mold members come together, the excess of rubber passing into the space 46 surrounding the It will be noted that the annular wall between the mold cavity andthe surrounding space is tapered both inwardly and outwardly, in coming tothe cutting edge. This enablesthe rubber of the two sections to be squeezed together between mold surfaces,V as the molds come together, thus making an eective seam. The outward rib thus produced is absorbed in the vulcanization.y v

As 'heretofore,mentioned, for many purposes pressure of air in which the operator mayconveniently work may be as high as desired Within the article, and in such case it is only necessary to provide so much of the apparatuses has been described, or a substitute for those parts, as hereinafter` referred to. For some purposes, however, it is desirable to.` obtain within the article a higher pressure than it is healthful for the operator to continuously breath. For this purpose I provide the additional portion of the mechanism which will now be described. y

Within the frame member 33 is a central hydraulic cylinder 50, adapted to be fed by a pipe 81, controlled by a valve 82, which may drain through the passageway 83 to the pipe 73. Rising from this cylinder is a plunger ca rryin a box 86, which has ears 87 rslidably em racing the standards 31. The plungers 35 extend through the base of this bor 86 in a slidable but airtight manner, stuilng boxes being omitted :for simplicity oi illustration. Directly above the wall of the box 86 is a rectangular gasket 88, carried on the under side of the platen 38. pressed air passing from outside of the room to the interior of tl .e box 86, this pipe being vconnected with Vthe box by a flexible connection and being controlledby a. valve 91.

Now if it be des` red to entrap within the article air of a higher pressure than that within the room, the parts of the rubber stock are caused t( seat in their cavities by opening the vent valve 56, as already delscribed; then, bei ore the mold parts are brought together, the -valve 82 is opened and hydraulic pressure admitted to the cylinder 80, which raises the box 86 and forms a closed chamber about the mold members. Then the valve 91 ls opened and compressed air of any pressure desired is admitted to the interior of the box 86, the pressure being indicated by tl le gage 93. f Then the deindicates a pipe for comf sired pressure is obtained within the box i the valve 71-is opened and the plungers 35 raised, thus closing the mold within this surrounding air of higher pressure..

y After the parts of the article have been brought `together within Ya surrounding atmosphere of comf ressed air (either the air which fills the entire room or the comparatively high pressure air within the box), is desirable to remove the articles from the molds 40 and 41 cr vulcanizing. By removing them and vulcanizing theln in a separate mold, and outside of the press shown, one press may be ope rated continuously in the formation of the article, and vulcanization of a number of molds may be performed at one time in a vulcanizer. This has advantages of econom)i of equipment over vulcanizing in the press where the article yis formed.

In the operatic u of the apparatus without employing the higher air pressure and without using the box 86, air of a pressure equal to that which is within the room generally is entrappelwithin the article. Then, after the molds are separated, the articles are Vtaken out of the molds and placed in another mold wit hin the same room, which mold is clamped together to hold the articles with the entrapped air.l This mold is then removed :for vulcunization. illustrated in Fig 8, and is shown as having two mold plates and 101, clamped to gether by a beveled wedge-shaped stirrup Such a mold is 102, which overhangs' wedge ribs 103 and 104 on the mold members.A It is convenient, of course, to have a comparatively large number of these vulcanizing molds within the room, which are filled one after the other, clamped, and removed to gether. to avoid air-losses in the lock. 110 and 111 in Fig. 2, illustrate two supports or tables adapted to carry respectivelyY empty molds and filled molds, and itis to be under- ,stood that after the operator has filled a sullicient number of molds for vulcanizing,

` he places them in the air lock 5, and closes the door l. The air pressure is then reduced within the air lock from the outside (by means of the external valve on thefvent 26), and then the supply of molds is relnoved and a supply of empty molds placed in the air lock, the door closed and the pressure built up. through the passageway 20 controlling the external valve During the operation of transferring the closed articles which contain simply the room-preure of air. from the mold press to the vulcanizing mold, there is no tendency ofthe articles to separate. because thepres Vas:

sure outside of the article is the same as that `within it. I find, however, that the adhesion of the raw rubber will ,holda considerable air pressure within the articles, and the pressure supplied to the box 86 exceeds the air,

pressure within the room by an amount which should be less than that which the adhesion of the raw rubber will hold.; Accordingly. by using the pressure in the room and also the pressure within the box. I can have the advantage of obtaining a. higher pressure within the article than the adhesion of the raw rubber itself will hold, and a higher pressure than it is healthful for an operator to work in. I can. accordingly, obtainthis high pressureand still have the cheapness of operation resulting from transferring the molded articles from their forming molds to vulcanizing molds.

To make a concrete illustration of this built-up air pressure within the article. suppose the adhesion of raw rubber stock will vhold a pressure of fifteen pounds per square inch above the atmosphere. and suppose that an operator may conveniently work in an air pressure of twenty-five ounds. Then if the article were closed wit in a chamber containing an atmosphere of compresed air of over fifteen pounds pressure, as described in my prior Patent No. 1,146,523. issued July 13, 1915, it would not be feasible to transfer the article in theopenair to another mold ofA twenty-five pounds, it may readily beY twentyfive poundsobtained Within the article.

Now by combining the air-room and the internal pressure chamber I may maintain a pre'ure of twenty-five pounds in the room and forty pounds in the box 86. -Accordingly, I will entrap air of forty pounds pressure within the article (which pressure, it is assumed, would be inconvenient for the operator to .work in), and still may avail myself of the economy of transferring the article to another vulcanizing mold in the room. because the diii'erence between the internal and external pressure in the article is only fifteen pounds. It is to be understood that the actual pressures of fifteen, twentyfive and forty pounds above referred to, are

selected simply as illustrative, and will vary with circumstances.

box 8G vdischarges the higher pressure air into the room and thus to agreater or less extent may compensate for lealgage from the room. In any event, the pressure in the room is maintained at the desired amount (indicated by some suitable gage, not shown) by occasional operation of the admission and venting valves 18 and 24. The ventpipe 23 may conveniently lead from the bottom of the room and the admission pipe 17 enter at the top, so that the operator may use these pipes for supplying fresh air as needed for respiration, the vent valve 24 bein Voccasionally opened to allow the exit o the carbonic acid which would accumulate near ,Y

the Hoor.

lVhile the above described press isvery satisfactory for accom lishing 'the entrapping of air. whether it of higher pressure than that in the room or of the same pressure. a much simpler form of press -mav be used in the latter case. Such simpler form is illustrated in Figs. 10, 11 and 12. where 120 and 121 are two cavitary mold plates' adapted to be held separated or lsnugly brought together by a screw 123. This screw is shown as having a head 124 rotatably held to the moldf plate 120, having threads engaging internal threads in the mold plate 121. A removable socket wrench' 125 provides means for rotating the screw. Dowel pins 126 properly position one mold plate over the other. This mold press may conveniently be carried on the portable support indicated at 128.

In operating the mold press just described, hollow semi-cured hemlspheres, shown at B, B', may be supplied to the operators within the room. Such operators separate the mold plates sutiiciently to insert these hemispheres and then turn down the screw, bringing the parts together to entrap the air of the pressure Within the room. If the article to be made in this' form is a ball, it may conveniently have overlapping beveled diametric edges, as indicated at b in Fig. 12, and as claimed in my Patent No. 1,151,396, issued Aug. 24, 1915. Afterthe parts of the article are brought together, thus entrapping air of the pressure within the room, the mold with its closed articles is removed and placed in the vulcanizer. It is convenient to allow a number of these molds to accumulate `in the room, to prevent loss of air in the air lock.

Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate a still simpler way of making an inflated hollow rubber article. In this case the tivo article-sections (shown as hollow hemispheres B, B', with beveled edges la), have cement placed on their meetingedges andare simply brought together by hand in the room, as illustrated by the operators hands C in Fig. 13. When the` parts of the article are thus brought together, inclosing air-of a pressure equal to that in the room, the `closed article is placed in a vulcanizin-g mold Within the room. Such mold is illustrated in Fig. 14, comprising the plates 13() and 131, and la suitable clamp for holding them together. This clamp may consist of a wedge-shaped stirrup 132 overhangng wedge-shaped ribs 133 and 134, as heretofore explained in connection with Fig. 8. The article is placed in this mold with the diametric seam out of registration with the faces of the molds, as illustrated in Fig. 14. the result being that the seam has a very firm surface to rest against during vulcanization, and eectiver joining 1s accomplished.

Fig. 15 illustrates a ball B2 made in either the molds of Fig. 10 or those of Fig. 14. In operating with semi-cured stock the adhesion is not as great as with raw rubber stock, but where the internal air is at the same pressure as that within the room there is no tendency of the parts to separate before being placed in the vulcanizing mold, and that mold` holds them in shape until they are vulcanized and the seam thus cured.

Figs. 5 and- 7 show a peculiar form of mold adapted for use in making a ball'. I have found that in pneumatically forcing rubber stock into cavities the effect is to stretch the stock most at the ycentral portion, leaving it thicker ladjacent to the edges of the mold, and, accordingly, 'it is difficult to make, by such process, a wall of uniform thickness from initial stock which has a uniform thickness.` To save the eX ense and difficulties of forming the stock o irregular thickness, to compensate for the different` stretching, I have devised the mold shown" in Fi n '5 and 7 wherein there is an inward protu erance 48, which supports the central portion of the stock and causes the stretching action to take place where needed, instead gf at the center.

A point to be not( ld about this Vmold is that this inward protuherance merges by easy curves with the spl ierical zone of the mold and is of such size and shape that the superficial area of the n iold is substantially the same as that of a spherical mold of the same diameter. The res llt is that when the article is forced pneur iatically to its seat in the distorted mold sho1 vn, it is of substantially the same thickness throughout and is of the proper size to beco ne a sphere, without serious stretching.

Another advantage. of a forming mold having inward pr( tuberances isthat when the formed article assumes its true shape it has an increased cubical content, resulting in corresponding reduction in internal pressure. Accordi igly the compressed air entrapped within the formed article may exceed the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere by even a greater amount than can be retained simply by the adhesion of raw rubber; for, :s the article is removed from the forming mold, the first action will be for the internal pressure to force the dents outwardly a1 Ld thus reduce such pressure..I 1

Then the distorted ball is removed from the mold of Figs. 5 and 7, it isput intoV a spherical vulcanizn cavity, as shown in Fig. 8. It i's convcnlent'to make thearticle slightly smaller in diameter thanthat of the vulcanizing cavity as illustrated in Fig. 8, as this provides fo.` the expansion of the ar ticle during vulcauization and also enables the article to be very readily placed in the vulcanizing mold.

If the internal pressure in the article is greater than the atmosphere in the room, the article will assume a spherical shape as soon as removed from the mold of Figs. 5 and 7. If the higher internal pressure, obtained by usin the box 86, is: not employed, the article y may e of a dented shape when it is placed in the vulcanizing mold, but it will assume true spherical shape when the vulcanizing mold is removed f1 'om the room, as the air in the mold cavity outside of the article will leak out between the mold plates.

My prior appl ILcation No,v 82,272, filed March 6, 1916, shows and claims a system of removing hollow inflated articles from molds, consisting if opening the mold, as it comes from theyfulcanizer, within any air' chamber containing air under pressure, this air being reduced in pressure after the mold is opened. This operation prevents concentrated bulgin of separation. cw my air room operation, described and claimed herein,"` may accomplish an analo ous result. The molds, clam ed shut with their inclosed articles, ma taken from the vulcanizer, and, after coo ing, passed in o the air room, and there of the article at thel line opened. The preisure within the article is not be employed unless desired.

thus entirelyor partly counterbalanced, by the external pressure in the room, `and the troublesome concentrated bulging does not result. At some convenient time the finished articles are removed from the room through the air lock, where the pressure is'gradually reduced. There is, accordingly, no strain on the article.

It will be seen from the above description that the apparatus shown is adapted for a number of diil'erent specific operations in performing my process. The aplmratus is of my invention, and important and novel parts thereof are claimed herein, butl do not wish to be limited to the apparatus shown, as the process may performed with various forms of apparatus, as 'already explained. It is operated somewhat differently when using semi-cured molded rubber @ci tions than when making the articles from f, raw rubber. pneumaticall) seated. The ad- -dltlonal step of giving the .super-pressure within the article is also of value.

but need Reference should be made to my prior applications No. 51,338,f-liled September 18,

1915,' and No. 55,131, filed October 11. 1915,

for claims covering the process of pneumaticallyr seating the ock in vented mold cavities,.by a superior pressure within the article, and covering also the mold press having mold plates and hollow platens, as shown in aving thus described my invention. what I claim 1s:

1. The proce of making hollowl articles of plastic material lconsisting of bringing the parts together within a room occupied by the operator and containing air under preure.

2. The process of making hollow articles of plastic material consistlng of bringing the parts together within a room occupied by the operator and containing air under pressure, holding the closed article in a vulcanizing mold, and vulcanizing the article while so held.

3. The process of making hollow rubber articles consisting of bringing the parts of the article together in a room occupied b v the operator and filled with compressed air. holding the parts together b v mechanical means while they are removed from the air room. and vulcanizing the article outside of the air'room.

4. The process of making hollow rubber articles consisting of bringing the parts of the article together in a room occupied b v the operator and filled with compressed air. holding the parts together by a vulcanizing mold closed within. the air room. removing such mold with its inclosed article from the air room. and vulcanizing the article while in said mold.

5. The process of making hollow rubber articles consisting of bringing the parts of consisting of bringing the parts of the article together in a surrounding atmosphere of compressed air, transferring the article to a vulcanizing mold while in the same surrounding atmosphere, locking said mold shut, removing it from the atmosphere, and vulcanizing the article while in said mold.

The process of making hollow rubber articles consisting of bringing the cupshaped parts of the article while retained in mold members into edge engagement in a room occupied b v the operator and containing air under pressure, then transferring such article to a separate vulcanizing mold in said rooln and closing the mold, then removing such closed mold from such room, and vulcanizillg the article while it remains in that mold.

S. The process of making hollow rubber articles consisting of closing the parts of the article within an atmosphere of compremd air in alroom occupied by the operator and to which access is had b v means of an air lock, and thereafter vulcanizing the closed article.

9. The process of making hollow Arubber articles consisting of closing the parts of the article within an atmosphere of compressed air in a room occupied by the operator and to which access is had by means of an air lock. placing such closed article within a mold and closing the mold while in said room, and removing the closed mold from said room b v means of an air lock, and

vulcanizing the article while in said mold outside of said room. y

10. The process of making hollow rubber articles consist-ing of dbringing the parts of the article together in an atmosphere of compressed air, then placingV such closed ar-V ticle while in such atmosphere in a vulcanizing mold with the seam of the article out of registration with the separation faces of the mold` and vulcanizing the article while held in such mold.

11. The process of making a hollow rubber ball consisting ofbringmg hemispherical sections together in a room occupied b v the operator andilled with compressed air. then placing such closed ball in a twofpart spherical mold with the seam out of registration with the separation faces of the mold. locking such mold. removing it from the air room. and heating the mold to vulcanize the article.

12. 'Ihe process of making hollow rubber' the article together inuan atmosphere of compressed fluid, s'ueh parts being held in mold Vcavities which have inward"` protuberances,

' then transferring such closed article to a vulcanizin canizing mold having a cavity of the shape of the finishedarticle, and thereafter `vulthe article while in-such vulcanizing mo d.

13. The process of making hollow rubber articles consisting of bringing the parts of the article together in a room occupied by the operator and filled with compressed air,

such parts being held in mold cavities which havev inward protuberances, then transferring such finished rarticle to a vulcanizing mold having a. cavity of the shape of the finished article. then removing said vulcanizing mold from the air room, and vulcanizing the article outside of the air room.

14. The process of making hollow articles `of plastic materials, consisting ofplacing rubber stock across the mouth of a mold cavity, and, while the mold is located in "an atmosphere of colnpressed fluid, venting the cavity to the outside to allow the compressed fluid pressure to force the stock to seat in theV mold cavity', bringing such formed part'into conjunction with another part, and curing the closed article. n

15. 4The process of making hollow rubber articles, consisting of placing raw rubber stock across the mouth of a mold while the mold is located in an inclosure containing air under pressure, venting the mold cavity to a point where as high an air pressure does not exist, whereby the rubber stock" is seated in the cavity, then bringing such seated stock into conjunction with other stock to form a closed article withcompressed airy within it, and then'vulcanizing the article.

16. The process of making hollow rubber articles. consisting of placing rubber stock across the mouth of a mold cavity, while the mold is located i'n an atmosphere of com pressed air, venting the cavity to the outside air to allow thecompressed air preure to force the stock to seat in the moldcavity, bringing such formed part into conjunction with another part to entrap compressed air, transferring the closed article to a vulcanizing mold and vulcanizing it therein.

1T. The, process o`f making hollow articles by the employment of an air-tight room in which the operator works and which containsfair under ressure, consisting of placing plastic stoc in such room across the `mouth of mold cavities, venting such cavities to the outside air whereby the pressure in the room seatsthe stock, and bringing two of such seated parts 4together in said room to entrap compressed air between them.

18. The process of making hollow rubber articles consisting of placing raw rubber stock across the rmouths ofmold cavities in Vthe rubber in thc cavities, bringing two of such seated part: together in said room to entrap compresscd'air within the article, transferring the closed article while in the room to a vulcauizing mold and vulcaniz-V ing the article. i y u i 19. LThe process of making hollow rubber articles, consisting of placing rubber stock acro the moutli of a mold cavity, while the mold is located in a roomvin which the operator works and which is filled with compressed air, then venting the cavity to the outside air to allow the compressed air pressure to force the stock to scat in the mold,

cavity, then bringing such formed part into conjunction with another gpart in the same room to entrap air under pressure within the article. `then transferring such article while in the rotm to a vulcanizing mold which is then closed, removingthe vulcanizing mold from the room and thereafter vulcanizing .the article therein.

20. The proces; of making hollow articles. comprising the placingl of plastic stock across the mouth of a mold cavity which is inwardly distorted from the shape which the finished article is to have, venting such cavity while sup alying compressed fluid to the other side oi the stock, brin ing such seated part into conjunction witg another `part to make a c ,osed article, then transferring such article tofa mold having the shape of the finished article, and curing the-article while so held.

21. The proces; of makingihollow rubber articles, compris ng the placing of rubber stock across the mouth of a mold cavity1 whilejsaid cavitg7 is located within an inclosure which cc ntains air under pressure. said mold cavitj` being inwardly distorted from the shape which the finished article is to have, "enting such cavity to a point outside of the` inclosl Ire; to cause the compressed air to seat the article. bringing such seated part into conjun :tionwith another part to make a closed `article containing air,y then transferring such article toa moldhaving the shape of the :nished article, and vulcanizing the article vhile so'held. u 22. The processomaking hollow articles of plastic inateri al consisting of closing the article within an atmosphere of compreed fluid, whichV atnosphere is contained in ,a' separable casing located in a room containing compressed iluid of lower pressure. re-

moving the article from the high pressure chamber into the lowA pressure room and.

placing it ina m( ld in such room, and curing the article.v

23g. The process of making hollow rubber articles consisting; of closing the article within, removing such 'mold in a closed condition' from such room and thereafter heating it in an atmosphere of compressed air, which atmosphere is contained in a, separable casing located in a room containing compressed air of lower pressure, removing vthe article from the high pressure chamber into the low pressure room and placing it in a mold thereto vulcanize the inclosed article.

24. The process of making articles containing Huid under pressure comprising the bringing of the parts of the article together in an atmosphere of Huid under pressure which is contained within a casing .located within a room in .which the operator works ,y

and .which contains air under vpressure but of a lower pressure than that within the casing, then openingv the casingv and removing the article into the room, and placing it in a mold therein.

25. The proces of making inflated rubber articles containing fluid under pressure comprising the bringing of the parts of the article together in an atmosphere of air under pressure which is contained within a casing located within a room in which the operator works and which contains air under pressure but of a'loi'ver pressure than that within the v casing, then opening the casingand removthe article into the room and placing it.

1n a vulcanizing mold located in the room, then closing the vulcanizing mold and removing it from the room and heating it to vulcanize the article.

26. The proce of making hollow-articles having an internal air pressure, consisting of placing stock for the article across the mouth, of a mold cavity which is located in aan inclosure whichy contains compressed fluid, venting the cavity to a point outside the inclosure to enable the compressed duid to seat the-stock in the cavity, formin a smaller inclosllre about the seated article and supplying uid under still higher pres-I sure to said smaller inclosure, bnnging'the seated article while in said smaller inclosure into conjunction with other stock to entrap hi pressure fluid within it,'removin the article into the larger inclosure, an

placing it in a `mold therein, and curing the' artlcle.

27 vThe process of making hollow xrubber articles having an internal air pressure consisting of placing stock for the` article actos the mouth of a mold cavitywhich is located in a rool in which the operator works and whichcontains 'compl'efsed air, venting the cavity to a lpoint outside the room to enable the compressed air to seat thestock in the cavity, forming an inclosure about the seated article within the room and supplying air under still higher pressure to said inclosure, bringingthe seated article while in said inclosure into conjunction with other rubber Laxman to entrap pressure air within it, 65

opening the inclosure and removing the article to a. place in the room outside of said inclosure, placing the removed article inia vulcanizing mold in said room, and heating said mold to vulcanize the article.

28. An apparatus for carrying out the venting a mold cavity in the room to a point outside of the room.'

30. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with suitable walls providing a closed air chamber, an air lock adapted to communicate with said chamber and having two doors leading to and from the lock, pipes for conveying compressed air from the interior of the room, a cavitary mold in said room, and a pipe leading from v the mold cavity to a point outside of the room. v

31. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an air-tight room` an air lock adapted'to enable`c`ominutrap air from the room within an article seated inthe mold members.

33. The combination of a room in which an operator may work, means for maintain ing air under pressure therein, va mold press within "the room, means for bringing the mold members together in the room to entrap air in the articles in the molds, means for locking the mold members together in the room, d an air-lock allowing the re moval of t e articles from the rooml while inthe mold. y.

34. The combination of an air tight room, molds therein, an inclosure in the room about the molds, means for supplying compreed air to the' room, and means for sup lying Ailuid under higher pressure to the inc osure.

' nicatio'n with the room, compressed air pipes 35. The combination of a room adapted to i beoccupied by the operator, molds therein zoV cavities in t having cavities, an inclosure about the molds,-means for supplying compressed air to the room, means for supplying compressed air of higher pressure to the inclosure, and 'means'for venting the mold cavities to `a point outside of the inclosure. c

` 36. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an air tight room, an air lock adapted to enable communication with the room, means for supplyl ing compressed air to the room and air lock, a mold within the room having cavities, passa'eways from said cavities 4to a point outs e of the room, a valve for, controlling such passageways, a casing Within the room, means for causing it to close the cavitary mold, and means for supplying compressed air of higher pressure than that in the room to said casing. 37. The combination of a room adapted therein, means for supplying colnpressed air to the room means for venting the mold he press to a point outside of the roomfa casing, means for placing it about the vented cavities, means for supplying compressed fluid to the interior of the casing, and means for bringingsuch seated article part into conjunction with another part of the article while in said casing and While the pressure therein is maintained higher than that in the room, means for thenopening the casing enabling the removal ofthe articles with the entrap air, and a mold in the room and outsi e of the casing in p which suclr'articley may lbe placed and held.

38. 1n an` apparatus of the character described, thecombination of a cavitary mold` distortedffrom the finished shape of the article tor rovide aninward projection, means for esta lishing an atmosphere of compressed fluid aboutthe mold, means for venting the cavity of the mold to a point outside of said latmosphere to causefthe article to seat in said cavity. and a mold of the shape of the finished article having an internal surface of substantially the same area as `that of the distorted mold.

39. In anipparatus of the character described, the kombination of a finishing mold corresponding to the shape of the finished article, a forming mold having substantially the same internal area as the finished mold but having. an inward projection, means for venting said forming mold to the outside air, means for establishing an atmosphere of compressed air` about the forming mold,

whereby rubber stock placed across thel junction with other stock 'while within the` atmosphere of compressed air.

to be occupied by the operator, a mold press" 40. The combina tion of an air tight room adapted to be occupied by the operator, 1

`.within the room seats the stock 1n such mold, means for b ringing'two of such mold members together to'cause the stock seated therein to engage other stock, whereby compressed air 1s enti apped within `the article,

and means for -vulcanizing said article in.

said vulcanizing mold.

41. The combination of an air tight room adapted to be o cupied by the operator, means for maintaining compressed air Within said room, a fol ming mold provided with inward projections, vmeans for venting said forming mold to la point outside ofthe room, whereby the air pressure within the room seats the stock in such mold, a casing within the room adapted to inclose the mold mem-y bers mentioned, mechanism for operating said casing to inclose the mold members,

lmeans for suppl) ing compressed air of a higher pressure than that in the room to saidcasing, mechanism for bringing parts of the seated art cle together in the compressed air within said casing, and a vulcanizing mold to which the article is transferred while in said room, said vulcanizing mold having itsl cavity corresponding in area to the forming mold but of different shape.

42. In an apparat-us of the character de scribed, a two-part mold, each member having a series of cavities boundedby walls coming to an anr ular edge, whereby when twoof such mold members are brought to'- gether material may be sheared o' around the edges of the `xavities, there being vents from said cavities, and means for opening and closing the vc nts. f

43. In an appa ratusof the character described, a forming,r mold having a series of cavities boundedoy walls comin to an annular edge, where :py when two o vsuch mold members are brought together material may be sheared off are und the edges of the cavlties. said cavities having vents, means for controlling the vc nts, `and means for establishing a greater pneumatic ressure "between two pieces ofv interpose stock than there is between 'et ,ther piece of stock and the base of the cavity. 44. `In an apparatus of the character described, the coml ination with an inclosure to which compres sed fluid is supplied, of a two-part forming mold therein having a series of cavities bounded. by walls which come to an annul ar edge and rise above the adjacent ,surrounding` surfaces of the mold, whereby when two of` such mold members are brought together interposed material may entrap ,Huid and may be sheared oif around the edges of the cavities.

45. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vulcanizing mold having substantially'the form of the finished article, of a. forming mold having a distorted shape but substantially the internal area of the vulcanizing mold and having a series of cavities bounded by walls coming to an annular edge, whereby when two of such mold members vare brought to gether material 'may be sheared off around the edges of the cavities, means for estab- Y lishing an atmosphere of compressed iuid about -such mold membels, and means for venting the cavities to a point outside of said atmosphere.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aixmy signature.

FRED THOMAS ROBERTS. 

